Car-coupling



I C. 0. BLACK.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 434,757. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLIE 0. BLACK, OF BLAKELY, GEORGIA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,757, dated August19, 1890.

Application filed May 7, 1890. Serial No. 350,928. (No model.)

' which consists of the details of construction hereinafter more fullydescribed, and illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sideelevation showing two draw-heads with a link engaged in one and about toenter the other, the latter being shown in section. Fig.2 is a plan viewof one of the draw-bars. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a draw-headthrough the block therein. Fig. at is a perspective detail of the lowerhalf of the draw-head, showing one of the members of the draw-bar inposition. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the link.

A designates the car-body, having the transverse bars B, and B is thedraw-bar, comprising three members, having the squared heads H andshanks 71, adapted to fit into correspondingly-shaped recesses ornotches N in the two halves of the draw-head D. In rear of the shanks h"the bodies of the members of the draw-bar B are preferably round, asshown at G, and transverse aligned openings g are formed therein for thereception of a rod R in rear of a Washer-plate W, as shown in Fig. 2,whereby the draw-bar is held in the transverse bars B of the car-body.Around the round shanks G, between the rear end of the draw-head D andtherearmost of the transverse bars B, are located strong coiled springsS, forming a bumper or butter, as is usual in car-couplings.

The draw-head D is divided longitudinally and horizontally at about itscenter, whereby it is formed in upper and lower halves, these halvesbeing connected by vertical bolts 0,

as shown. The mouth 0 of the draw-head may or may not be divided byhorizontal webs, as shown; but if such webs are used their free ends arebeveled or inclined, as is also the lower edge of said mouth. Thisincline is obviously for the purpose of guiding the approaching linkinto the mouth in a manner which will be explained hereinafter.

The pin P passes vertically through a hole'in,

grooves V, extending longitudinally of the draw-head, and terminatingslightly in rear of said webs if they are employed. A pinsupportingblock E slides within the drawhead and has lateral tongues c looselyengaging said grooves V. An operating-handle 1; extends from the upperend of this block through a slot K in the upper member of the draw-headto within easy reach of an operator; but if preferred the block E maybepressed normally forward by a spring. (Not shown.) The front face ofthis block is provided with apertures k, approximating the shape of theend of the link, which will presently be described.

The linkL which I prefer to use is preferably of iron and is taperedboth vertically and horizontally and slightly flattened at its ends, asshown at Z, and when this link approaches the open mouth of one of thedrawheads it is guided thereinto by the inclines above mentioned.

The two cars approaching each other with the link seated in onedraw-head, the block E in the other draw-head forward, and the pin Pthereof supported at its lower end on said block, when the free end ofthe link enters the mouth of the draw-head, it passes into one of theapertures in the front of the block and pushes the latter rearwardlyfrom beneath the pin, the pin falling through the link, as is common indevices of this character.

The advantage in having the draw-head formed in two halves detachablyconnected to each other, and also detachably connected to the draw-bar,is that when it is desired to gain access to the interior of thedrawhead, as for the purpose of repairing or replacing the pin-support,two members of such drawhead may be disconnected and may be re movedfrom the draw-bar, the latter being first removed from the rearmosttransverse bar B. It will be understood from the drawings that the bodyof the draw-head slides in the outermost transverse bar B, and hence theremoval of the same outwardly therefrom is necessary before its twohalves can be separated vertically.

What I claim is- 1. In a car-coupling, the combination,with a draw-headdivided on a central horizontal line and having longitudinal recesses atthe opposite sides of its opening, of bolts retaining the members of thedraw-head in connected position, a longitudinally-sliding pinsupportingblock within said opening, and lateral tongues on said block engagingsaid openings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a draw-head divided on a central horizontalline, the two members thereof having registering recesses with enlargedinner ends, of means, substantially as described, for holding saidmembers in connected position, a transverse bar on the car-body, adraw-bar comprising a plurality of members fitting said recesses andhaving heads engaging the enlarged inner ends thereof, said memberspassing loosely through said transverse bar, a pin passingthrough therear ends of said members, and springs around their bodies between therear end of the drawhead and the front side of said bar, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with a draw-head divided on the the centralhorizontal line, the two members thereof having registering recesseswith enlarged inner ends, a draw-bar comprisinga plurality of membersfitting said recesses and having heads engaging the enlarged inner endsthereof, and a pin passing through the rear ends of said members, oftransverse bars on the car-body, through the forward one of which thedraw-head slides loosely and through the rear one of which the membersof the draw-bar slide loosely, bolts retaining the members of thedraw-head in connected position, and springs around the members of thedraw-bar between the rear end of the draw-head and the front face of therearmost transverse bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLIE C. BLACK. Witnesses:

J. W ALEXANDER, IloPE H. ALEXANDER.

